ART MAT TERS
Magazine of The Art Center of Western Colorado Volume 6, Issue 1 Winter 2021
First Fridays Studio Colorado Presented by: Sponsored by:
Michael Neste, MD
Our Mission: Family Health West is a Fruita-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, cost-effective, high-value health care which enhances the quality of life for our community.
300 W Ottley Ave • Fruita, CO 81521 (970) 858-3900 fhw.org SERVICES PROVIDED BY
FAMILY HEALTH WEST
Art Matters
Director’s Letter About The Art Center Announcements Exhibitions Shepherd +1: Of the Hand The Ron Beckman Art Center Members' Show Cowboy Up Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence Group Exhibition
Youth & Teen Education Youth Programs Youth & Teen
Art Hacks Adult Education 2D Classes Ceramics How to Enroll
On The Cover: Terry Shepherd Art Matters Winter 2021 gjartcenter.org
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Dear Friends, This time last year, I was studying to be Tevye in CMU’s upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof. This was a wonderful opportunity to work with the CMU students and faculty (as well as fellow community members). We enjoyed sold-out houses and appreciative audiences during our two-week run in late February. It was a magnificent experience. On March 5, Colorado experienced its first case of Covid-19. It was a topic of conversation backstage, but was no means “a big deal.” Little did we know that weekend’s performances would be amongst the last performances of live theatre, live productions of any kind, for many months. Soon thereafter, Governor Polis issued a state-wide stay-at-home order, and live theatre was put on indefinite hold. Live performance of all kinds – theatre, dance, concerts – and the people who create it have all suffered tremendously. The Art Center had begun reintroducing live performing arts to our regular offerings; those were put on hold. Online options, such as the production of Art, by Yasmina Reza, was produced as a fundraiser for The Art Center by professors in CMU’s theatre department. Live, in-person performing arts, at least to packed houses, may not reemerge for quite some time. Many art galleries have closed, possibly for good, and art museums and art centers across the country are facing the same fate. In July, NPR reported that a third of museums may not survive the year. That includes art museums. To say that the arts and the people who depend of the arts for their survival are facing dire straits is an understatement. This should be a concern for not just art lovers, but for our community at large. The arts do more than feed the soul of each and every one of us. The arts are an economic driver, a very large economic driver, especially here in the Grand Valley. Fortunately, your Art Center has, so far, weathered this storm far better than many other arts organizations. Tremendously generous support from our members and financial donors, along with innovative thinking by Art Center staff, volunteers, and The Art Center Board of Trustees has helped us maintain a fairly stable financial position. But, as the pandemic wears on, the need for financial support becomes more and more urgent. We will continue to find new ways to meet the mission of improving quality of life through the arts, hopefully with new revenue streams as well. However, we can’t do it alone; we need your help. I know that many agencies are asking for your help this year. Those agencies have missions that are tremendously important. The arts, and The Art Center, your Art Center, are also tremendously important. The arts are reflections of our souls, not an afterthought. Although many supporters are not able to help as much as they would like, others are fortunate enough to be in a strong financial position, even during the pandemic. So, if you have the means, please help your Art Center with a generous donation. Thank you to all of The Art Center’s supporters, friends and family, for your continued support over the years. We don’t take your support for granted, and we appreciate every dollar. And believe me, even a dollar helps. I will now use what is possibly the most overused phrase of 2020 - “Now more than ever,” your support is vital. Don’t let the arts be an afterthought.
Lee Borden, Executive Director 4|
WELCOME
Our Mission: The Art Center of Western Colorado is a regional arts organization dedicated to enriching lives by promoting the enjoyment and understanding of the arts.
Board of Trustees
Art Center Staff
Lee Borden Jeremy R Franklin - President Executive Director st Ronya Anna - 1 Vice President Matt Jones Dr. Michael Neste - 2nd Vice President Curator, Programs & Exhibitions Terri Chinn - Treasurer Rachel Egelston Anita Pisciotte - Secretary Youth & Special Needs Education Director Joseph Gonzales Terry Shepherd Jack Griggs Artist-in-Residence, Ceramics Director Pavia Justinian Keith Brewer Kendra McDaniel Membership & Gift Gallery Coordinator Lynne O’Connell Haley Van Camp David Price Design and Communications Manager Sheri Ray Charley Gordon Facilities Manager Mykan White Cathy Zippert – Art Center Guild President Michael Davis - ex-officio WCCA Endowment Foundation
Art Center Hours 9am to 4pm Tuesday through Saturday Admission $3 (free to members and children under 12) There is no charge to visit the Gift Gallery Tuesdays are free to everyone thanks to a generous sponsorship by Home Loan & Nationwide Insurance
Operational funding provided in part by
ABOUT US
|5
BE A HERO
While at The Art Center, be a hero and please: Do not visit The Art Center if you or anyone in your household is ill or has been ill recently Wash those
hands frequently
Wear a protective cloth face-covering
Follow posted occupancy limits for Maintain a minimum each gallery/ six-foot distance classroom between yourself and others not in your party
Do not shake hands or engage in unnecessary physical contact with others Use provided hand sanitizer when entering the building 6 | ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you to our major supporters! Gallery sponsors: Gould Gallery - Chuck & Robbie Breaux Studio Colorado - Dr. Michael Neste & Family Health West North Gallery - Your Name Here Atrium Gallery - Dr. Tonya Wren
Exhibition 2020-2021 sponsors: McBride Family Foundation Chuck and Kendra McDaniel Chuck and Robbie Breaux Dean and Mary Harris Chuck and Patti Shear / Shear Inc The Ron Beckman Estate
Friend, Supporter, Champion, and Title Supporters: The Art Center Guild Kay and Lee Ambrose Robert Armstrong Judy Axthelm Chuck and Robbie Breaux Lynn Brownson Gaynell Colaric Patricia Feinberg Jeremy R Franklin Harry Griff Jack Griggs
Dean & Mary Harris Brian and Joyce Olson Ken Johnson Sharyl & Bob Peterson Pat Kephart Peggy Pretti Max Krey Sue Samuelson Bob & Kathy Martin Jim Sebela Chuck & Kendra McDaniel Judy Vanderleest Jean McIntyre Del and Joe Wharton Don Meyers Carolyn White Bill Milius Wilson Family Carole Moritz Larry Wild Dr. Michael Neste Dr. Tonya Wren Lynne O'Connell Colorado Creative Industries Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture Grand Junction Junior Service League Home Loan & Investment McBride Family Foundation Rocky Mountain Health Foundation Western Colorado Center for the Arts Endowment Foundation William & Mai Robinson Charitable Trust
If you haven't already, become a supporter of The Art Center by joining us at the $100 level or higher! More information on all membership and supporter levels is available on our website at gjartcenter.org. ANNOUNCEMENTS | 7
Shepherd + 1 Of the Hand An Exhibition of Ceramics by Terry Shepherd and Paintings by Dan Logé Sponsored by Chuck and Patti Shear / Shear Inc. December 4 – January 28 Terry Shepherd, The Art Center’s Director of Ceramics, has led The Art Center of Western Colorado’s ceramic studio since 1984. With a career spanning over 49 years, he is a respected ceramic artist and educator, and has studied and worked with Paul Soldner and many other accomplished ceramic artists. Each December, Shepherd exhibits new work alongside a selected artist working in a 2-D medium. This year he will be
8 | EXHIBITIONS
exhibiting with Dan Logé. Logé is highly respected for his oil paintings that feature landscapes and wildlife subjects. Shepherd will have on display a wide variety of vessel forms and platters for this exhibition, some purely functional and others with a subtle sculptural stance inspired by natural forms such as river rock, plant forms, and stylized figurative contours. His firing
process is extensive, incorporating reduction-fired stoneware, porcelain, Raku, saggar firing, and salt-vapored ceramic work. Shepherd draws inspiration from Chinese, Japanese, British, and American stoneware traditions as well as Native American ceramic practices. Shepherd’s curiosity and pursuit of serendipitous results leads him to take risks and embrace alternative firing methods. His personal approach to firing some work includes deliberate placement of pieces in the direct flame path of the kiln where the vapors from sodium and copper metal oxides result in sublime and dramatic embellishments. The contrasting colors of Shepherd’s over/under glazes combined with his gestural brush strokes form a counterpoint to the energy of his throwing and the softened
Terry Shepherd
geometry of slab forms. This year Shepherd is featuring a series of wall platters which are a departure from his familiar vividly colored use of Shino glaze. He is revisiting a more restrained and minimal mode of working while featuring a subtle essence of form glazed in white with the only embellishment being bold, abstract, energetic brush strokes in black. Shepherd states, “I like the work to communicate a personal visual language while celebrating the strength and essence of form and the lively spirit of clay and its ability to dress up, titillate our senses, and embellish life as enhanced by the hand! I especially like to embrace the unexpected and serendipitous results of the firing process, as it can embellish the work beyond my intent!”
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Terry says of Logé, “I’ve known Dan and his wife, Ellen, for many years. Dan taught painting classes for The Art Center before relocating to Las Vegas. When I heard he had moved back to Grand Junction this past year, I was excited to have his work exhibited alongside mine. I’m honored to have him as a part of the exhibition. Dan is a masterful painter and excellent draftsman. His landscapes resonate with light and project a mood indicative of the moment. Some of the wildlife renditions are more than just static realistic depictions of animal life. He has an uncanny ability to depict animals in their natural environment and imbue them with a depth of emotion.” Logé states, “The paintings I have on display here are just a reflection or an attempt at explaining how I felt when observing the world around me. My paintings carry with them traces of the places 10 | EXHIBITIONS
I’ve been and the things I have experienced on a personal level. They are passing thoughts and emotions materialized on canvas. "Sometimes paintings succeed where words fall short. It’s my choice of communication. There are many reasons why I paint, but for me it’s a life journey to discover my relationship with nature. The joy of creating great art is to engage in a learning process. The simple act of constructing a painting from the first brushstroke to the last has to do with responding to the subject directly and with immediacy. There needs to be a connection between the artist and the subject; otherwise, why bother? My 'good ones' happen when I was present in the moment and responding to the flow of nature. You could call that 'the art spirit,' if you like. Nature teaches us, as long as we pay attention to the lesson in front of us.” Dan Logé, Bighorn Ram
The Ron Beckman Art Center Members’ Show Sponsored by the Ron Beckman Estate and Chuck & Kendra McDaniel February 5 – 25 Artwork Drop-off: Saturday, Jan 30, and Monday & Tuesday, Feb 1 & 2, 10am-2pm Artwork Pick-up: Friday & Saturday, February 26 & 27, 10am-2pm It’s time for Art Center members to show the people what you have been working on. This is by far one of our largest and most popular exhibitions every year. Last year yielded over 450 works and included ceramics, fiber arts, collage, oil, acrylic, watercolor mediums, and so much more.
of experience in the arts, please join us in celebrating the people that make The Art Center a place of inclusion that enriches the lives of so many. This exhibition is a true testament to the Western Slope community as artists from all mediums, skill levels, and ages come together, united in their hopes to create a dynamic exhibition embodying the The Art Center’s Annual passions and efforts associated Members' Show is open to all with the act of creation. skill levels and ages. Whether you are just beginning to embark on The cost is $5 per entry and is your artistic journey or have years limited to two entries per person.
James Dawson, Alamo Trail, detail
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COWBOY UP
Featuring works by Ron Henry and Terry Shepherd, and works from The Art Center’s Permanent Collection Sponsored by Chuck and Patti Shear / Shear Inc. December 4 – January 28
Put on your boots and cowboy hats; it’s time to take a walk through the West. This exhibition features works by Harold Bryant sourced from The Art Center’s Permanent Collection and the private collection of Chuck and Patti Shear, and includes works by Ron Henry and The Art Center’s Director of Ceramics, Terry Shepherd. Ron Henry is an award-winning artist whose contemporary style with a focus on southwestern figurative and nature subjects has earned him placement in some of the finest galleries in California, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. 12 | EXHIBITIONS
“Nature is my inspiration. To achieve the color and brilliance that I require, I paint in oil and acrylic on gesso board. The many textures this provides enhance the feelings I’m trying to attain in my images. “My greatest pleasure comes from creating and composing the representative and composing the representative and figurative elements that tell a story. I find it very rewarding to create an image, experience the creative painting process and then have an art lover connect with the piece and enjoy it in their own environment.” Ron Henry, Kicking Up Dust
Harold Edward Bryant was probably one of the best but one of the least known artists from Grand Junction in the twentieth century. Born in Pickrell, Nebraska, he grew up in Grand Junction, graduating from Appleton High School in 1914. Bryant attended the Chicago Art Institute until 1917 when he was drafted into the army during World War I. After the war, he was a successful commercial artist in both Chicago and New York. He always favored painting the West and sought illustrating jobs that would allow him to paint his beloved horses and cattlemen. Bryant’s work was exhibited in Springville, Utah, in 1938 and 1941, and at the Chappell House in Denver in 1940. He was included in exhibits at the Grand Central Art Gallery in New York City in 1941 and 1949; he had a one-man show there in 1946 and was one of the few living Western artists to exhibit there.
Harold Bryant, The Round-up
Some of Bryant’s paintings were included on calendars for the Osborne Company in the late 1940s. This was probably the biggest factor in establishing him as a great Western Cowboy artist. Upon his death in 1950, he had painted 85 canvases and completed hundreds of magazine and advertising illustrations. The Art Center is proud to have ten of those canvases in its permanent collection. The cattleman’s West was Bryant’s inspiration. He could have been a musician or cowboy, but his whole being was focused on the sheer art of painting. Bryant’s masterful technique captured action without using violence. He liked to show real working cattlemen doing hard cowboy work. He never neglected any details, from pieces of leather to sage brush. His paintings portrayed the life of cowboys from 1920 to 1950 on the Western Colorado range.
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Mesa County Libraries Artist In Residence Group Exhibition December 4 – January 28 seeking visual bravery, so they can confidently fly above competitive landscapes." His work is clean, minimal, and contemporary. The fusion of illustration, typography, and strong content emit a powerful sense of confidence, making for influential designs.
Mesa County Libraries and The Art Center of Western Colorado will collaborate on an exhibition honoring the Mesa County Libraries Artists in Residence of 2020. The Art Center is pleased to have on display works by TJ Smith, Evan Curtis, and Rebecca Woods. This talented and diverse group of artists encompasses a range of technical and conceptional skills that include graphic design, media and film, and installation and painting.
Evan Curtis received his MFA in Animation from Savannah College of Art and Design and a BFA in Film from Purchase College. He is an award-winning independent stop-motion animator and filmmaker. His work has screened at SXSW, on PBS, and in more than 50 festivals worldwide, including screenings in Canada, Brazil, London, Ireland, Greece, and Romania.
Rebecca Woods is a lecturer of art at Colorado Mesa University. She holds an MFA in Installation and Performance Art from the University of Newcastle-UponTyne in the United Kingdom. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Colorado Mesa University. Woods works in a variety of materials and styles, adjusting these elements to suit the conception for each created work. She has been an instructor at The Art Center of Western Colorado TJ Smith is a full-time visionary in the field of drawing and has and professional graphic conducted numerous workshops designer. He states, "I design and through this organization. develop brands for companies 14 | EXHIBITIONS
TJ Smith, Over the Peak
Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio Artist In Residence
photography, video, music, fiction and nonfiction writing, and poetry. Artists working in other mediums are considered based on limitations of the studio. The Artist In Residence program aims to support the endeavors of our local artists who connect with the community through a variety of arts. Selected artists receive a $500 stipend courtesy of the Mesa County Libraries Foundation.
Mesa County Libraries provides studio space in the 970West Studio through the Artist In Residence program. Artists are encouraged to use this fourteenweek residency as an opportunity for growth and development while engaging the community through scheduled presentations, Visit mesacountylibraries.org for workshops, and open studio more information. hours. Artists selected for this program are at all stages in their careers and work in one or more of the following media: drawing, painting, fiber arts, sculpture, TJ Smith, Shadow Sun
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COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS for Y O U T H & T E E N S
• All staff and students ages 5 and up must wear masks. • Classroom space will be sanitized every 2 hours, and there will be frequent hand-washing sessions. • Students will be issued a private box of materials to use during their time at The Art Center. • Classroom seating will be in 6-foot increments. • Students will have their temperature checked with a no-touch forehead thermometer during morning drop-off. • Any student with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home. • All staff will adhere to same temperature monitoring as students.
Home School Program: Artist Point of View Ages 5-13 Rachel Egelston and guest artist Thursdays 1:00-2:30pm, Jan 7 – Feb 25 $105 member/$155 non-member All materials provided; need-based scholarships available In this class we will have visiting artists come and share their knowledge. We will explore a variety of media while learning techniques in clay, fiber, sculpture, collage, painting, and pastels. Students will have the opportunity to work together while they learn and experiment with new art skills. Art will be used to make a connection to other subjects by utilizing an integrative approach to the curriculum. The class will be designed to have fun while learning new art techniques and deepening artistic knowledge. 16 | YOUTH
Home School STEAM Series Ages 5-13 Rachel Egelston and guest artist Thursdays 3:00-4:30pm, Jan 7 – Feb 25 $55 member/$70 non-member Series 1: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 The Arts and Earth Science Have you ever thought about the ground beneath your feet? In this class we will study layers of the earth’s crust and experiment with the processes that affect the earth. Students will use clay, a natural earth material to create both functional and beautiful art.
Series 2: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 The Arts and the Science of Light Light is vitally important to us. Students will learn all about the light spectrum and how we see color. They will learn color theory, how light influences art, and how the human eye works using light. YOUTH | 17
After-School Program: Art Making Ages 5-13 Rachel Egelston and guest artists Fridays 4:30-6:00pm Tuition per session: $55 member / $70 non-member This is a multi-age class focused on stimulating the creative process through art-based activities.
Session 1 - Jan 8, 15, 22, 29: Working with clay, abstract art, animal collage, and kinetic art.
Session 2 - Feb 5, 12, 19, 26: Learn about sailors’ valentines, create one; secret homemade gift to give; and student’s choice.
School’s Out Day Camp Ages 5-13 8:30am-4:30pm Tuition per day per child: $25 member / $30 non-member All materials provided Monday, Jan 18: Art around the world: Amate bark painting, Africa influence scratch art, koru necklace, sumi-e painting and more. Tuesday, Jan 19: Learn about all the different drawing mediums – pencil, charcoal, pastel, markers, and colored pencil. Monday, Feb 15: Retell-a-story sculptures, Decalcomania black glue prints process art, gestural sculpture, paper mosaics. Thursday, March 11: Come dressed as your favorite Dr. Seuss character (if you want) and celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday month by creating imaginary plant sculptures, drawing characters from his books, learning the art of illustration and watercolor paintings. Friday, March 12: Drone-eye-view drawings, animal collage posters, liquid glitter painting, fiber art, and more. Friday, May 14: STEAM - Fiber art constellations, conceptual art project inspired by Sol LeWitt, kinetic art, and more.
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School's Out Day Camp sponsored by:
COVID-19 Precautions on page 16
COMMISSION ON ARTS & CULTURE YOUTH | 19
Holiday Break Day Camp Ages 5-13 8:30am-4:30pm Tuition per day per child: $25 member / $30 non-member All materials provided Don’t forget to bring a snack, a lunch, and a water bottle!
Monday, Dec 21: It Is the Season of Giving: Students will create a large sculpture using food cans. These cans will be donated to the homeless shelter following deconstruction. We will also create greeting cards by making prints, and there will be secret gift making. Tuesday, Dec 22: Winter Is Here: Painting with frozen paint, salt and watercolor snowflakes, winter chalk drawing, process art. Wednesday, Dec 23: Holiday Traditions Around the World: Come join art making from holiday traditions around the world. Monday, Dec 28: STEAM: (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects. Tuesday, Dec 29: Get Your Cavemen Skills On: Sand painting, T-rex sculpture, draw the “Croods,” prehistoric art lesson. Wednesday, Dec 30: Art Sampler: Pencil, watercolor, marker, pastel, and mixed media. Thursday, Dec 31: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Art Center: We will make Chinese drums and party hats, create our own “firework” explosion with paint, and celebrate with refreshments. Monday, Jan 4: Inspired by Our Western Colorado Backyard: Drawing animals, sand painting, landscapes, sunset collage and more. Tuesday, Jan 5: Get Your Game On: Superhero selfies, ”Pokeman art,” create your own puzzle, printmaking Emojis.
Holiday Break Day Camp sponsored by:
COMMISSION ON ARTS & CULTURE 20 | YOUTH
ART IN MOTION
Art Project In a Box: Clay, Collage, Watercolor, and Chia-me boxes available
Here is a chance to get your creative juices flowing! The Art Center of Western Colorado understands the challenges that are here during these uncertain times, so we would like to give you different opportunities to be creative. An Art In Motion box will give you a hands-on fun opportunity to create a piece of art! Whether you’re a total beginner or you have worked with the materials before, the supplies and lesson plans in these art boxes are designed to encourage, support, and enhance your experience. The Art In Motion boxes are geared to all ages from 5 to 105. Boxes are available to order online or by calling 970-243-7337 ext 2. After your purchase is made, we will deliver the Art In Motion box to your front porch (no contact), or you can pick it up at The Art Center, Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm. Please allow 48 hours after your purchase for us to process and get your box ready for pickup.
All youth classes address the Colorado Model Content Standard for visual arts. Content standards used in class will be provided upon request. Students and parents are assured of a unique classroom and project experience whether it be in fall, holiday, winter, spring, or summer sessions. Classes are taught by art teachers and teaching artists. COVID-19 Precautions on page 16
YOUTH & TEEN | 21
Teen Workshops 12-4pm Tuition per day: $25 member / $30 non-member All materials provided The following workshops are designed just for teens and present a variety of ways to approach art. Students learn different techniques and develop their own personal style. Tuesday, Dec. 22 Ages 13-15: Drawing is the foundation of the visual arts, and anyone can learn to draw. This workshop takes a contemporary and individualized approach to the basics of drawing and offers "out-of-the-box" approaches to tackle fundamental drawing issues. Learn to render realistically using line and contour, shape and form, light and shadow, space and depth, and proportion and perspective. Get acquainted with a range of drawing materials to translate perceptions onto paper and learn the principles of composition. Wednesday, Dec. 23 Ages 13-15: Want to learn more about the world of anime/manga? Then you’ve found the right place! Students will learn about comic book-style drawing, particularly the Japanese practice of manga. This workshop will cover dynamic perspective to classic anime facial features. Effective techniques for drawing and constructing storylines will be taught, and students will begin to master their own unique style of comic art. Have fun and join the crowd of anime/manga lovers! Tuesday, Dec. 29 Ages 16-18: Portfolio Development: This workshop supports students as they develop strong habits toward creative decision-making. In this one-day workshop of intensive collaboration with the instructor, students will learn how to strengthen their techniques. Each student will end the day with at least one strong piece of artwork and an artist’s statement. If you don’t see a class that fills your schedule and needs, a class may created for at least 6 participants, contingent on studio/instructor availability. Contact Rachel Egelston at regelston@gjartcenter.org or 970-243-7337x7.
Scouts Many of our classes fulfill the requirement for badges at all levels, or we can create one. Contact Rachel Egelston at regelston@gjartcenter.org or 970-243-7337x7 for more information. 22 | YOUTH & TEEN
Chancery cursive, or italic script, is a humanist system that was created in Italy during the Renaissance by Niccolò de Niccoli. Niccoli borrowed elements from other minuscule systems, most notably the Carolingian, to create this elegant alphabet. It is characterized by sharp serifs, upright and oblique letter angles, and exit strokes that attach each letter form together within words. The system's unique look is partly due to long ascenders and descenders. For this reason, it is often utilized in calligraphy with the addition of swashes.
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COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS in
RED DOOR & STUDIO COLORADO We are working hard to ensure your safety as we continue classes in Red Door and Studio Colorado. Below are the things we will do for you: • Tables (and students) are limited to 5 at a time. Chairs are 6 feet apart. • We will supply gloves for those who want them. To ensure we are all safe, we need your help with the following: • EVERYONE must wear a mask at all times while in the classrooms. • Procedures will be in place to clean tools and environment between use. We will update this list as new information is received. Our primary focus is your safety.
Winter Registration Opens Tuesday, December 8, at 9am
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Open Studio for Mixed Media
Gayle Gerson
Gayle Gerson Beginner/Intermediate Mondays 1pm-4pm, January 4 – March 8, skipping February 15 $143 member / $183 non-member Join Gayle Gerson in the Red Door Studio for three hours of moodling and puttering in mixed media projects. This class is designed for the experienced student and artist who would like to spend some time in an environment of camaraderie and inspiration. Please bring your own projects and supplies for mixed media and collage. Ideas and creativity will be shared with generosity and abandon by all. Gayle will provide coaching, some demos, and lively conversation on the latest trends in the world of mixed media art. Participants should be prepared to work, laugh, and provide feedback to their fellow artists. CLASSES | 25
Experiments in Mixed Media Gayle Gerson Beginner/Intermediate Wednesdays 9am-12pm, January 6 – March 3 $143 member / $183 non-member Gayle Gerson is teaching a workshop-like class to give artists of all skill levels practice in working with experimental painting and collaging techniques to create beautiful compositions, both representational and abstract. Students will be able to devote plenty of time to each of 4 or 5 artworks, creating a pleasing image that releases the sparkle of the artist’s personality. At the beginning of each class, Gayle will present a “mini-workshop” to build compositional skills and strengthen the “creative habit.” Art journaling and drawing sessions will also be part of this dynamic class.
Painting 1 Communicating Through Watercolor Loren Eakins Mondays 6-9pm, January 4 – March 8, skipping February 15 $143 member / $183 non-member Watercolor is an extremely brave and beautiful way to paint, with a history as rich as its colors. The way pigment and water flow on a piece of paper can create near-magical effects that truthfully describe the world as we experience it. Often these effects happen when and where we least expect them. When first painting in watercolor you can feel as if you need to restrain the medium. This class is designed to help move you past that to unlock the hidden mysteries of watercolor and allow you to communicate freely with this exquisite paint.
Drawing 1 Dalton Carlson Thursdays, 6-9pm, January 7 – March 4 $143 member / $183 non-member Dalton Carlson is teaching an introduction to drawing that is primarily for individuals looking to learn basic perspective drawing. The class will focus on the fourteen elements and principles of design and how to use them to create a dynamic drawing. Students will work from life, drawing still-lives to train their eye and hand when drawing. Issues of perspective, form, volume, composition, light and shadow, and markmaking will be explored in this class. 26 | CLASSES
Loren Eakins, The Andronica III CLASSES | 27
Philosophy and Art Art History (Online) Art Center Curator Matthew Jones Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm, January 6 – March 3 $90 member / $135 non-member “What is art and why do human beings have the instinct to carry out its creation? Is art subjective, or is it bound up in the objective world? Is the essence of creation immutable or subject to change?” ~Matthew Jones This course will engage with the big questions regarding the phenomena surrounding people’s impulse to create symbols of the human experience. We will dive into the development of outward expressive forms of language and iconography while facilitating dialogue and critical thinking for some of the world’s most elusive and puzzling questions relating to art.
Broadway Musical Theatre From Opera to Hamilton (Online) Zoom Jeremy R Franklin Mondays 6:00-7:30pm, January 4 – February 8 $90 member / $135 non-member The resounding success of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton is based in a genre that has developed over centuries. Broadway Musical Theatre: From Opera to Hamilton will study the genesis of the musical from its early roots in opera to its development throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. In the exploration of several landmark shows, students will trace the origins of present-day musical theatre through those shows’ social, historical, musical, and theatrical contexts.
28 | CLASSES
Matthew Jones CLASSES | 29
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS in
THE CERAMICS STUDIO We are working hard to ensure your safety as we continue classes in the ceramics studio. Below are the things we will do for you: • Wheels (and students) are limited to 5 at a time. Wheels are 6 feet apart. • We will have adequate paper towels in case you don’t want to use a towel. • All wheels, handles, doorknobs, and tables will be cleaned between classes. • We will supply gloves for those who want them. To ensure we are all safe, we need your help with the following: • EVERYONE must wear a mask at all times while in the studio. • Aprons and towels are available, but we ask that you choose one and “make it your own” for now. Please take aprons and towels home and clean them there. • Procedures will be in place to clean tools, sponges, and bats between use. • Signups for Open Studio will be conducted through SignUp Genius. You will receive an email with a link when classes start.
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We will update this list as new information is received. Our primary focus is your safety.
Fundamentals in Wheelthrowing Beginner/Intermediate $223 member / $263 non-member All sessions of Fundamentals require a basic pottery toolkit and include Raku, a fun and quick firing technique.
Robbie Breaux Tuesdays 1-4pm, January 5 – March 2 Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm, January 7 – March 4 This course is for both beginner and intermediate students. Beginners focus on simple forms (mugs with handles and bowls), glazes, and glazing techniques. Intermediate students receive instruction on techniques they want to hone, such as lidded vessels, plates, or stacked forms. Throughout the session, students are introduced to different surface designs to enhance one’s work. Instruction will be tailored towards the students' interests!
Instructor email: chuckrobbiebreaux@gmail.com
Robbie Breaux CERAMICS | 31
Ashtonn Means
Fundamentals in Wheelthrowing
Ashtonn Means Mondays 6:30-9:30pm, January 4 – March 8, skipping February 15 This course is designed for both beginning and intermediate students. The projects and demonstrations will be geared toward the skill level and interest of each student. Throughout this course students will learn techniques for wheel-throwing and glaze application, while forming a strong understanding of materials and firing practices associated with the medium. We will discuss in detail, during demonstrations and projects, the design principles for functional pottery, the fundamentals of form and form alteration, as well as aesthetic surface design techniques. Beginners will be encouraged to focus on bowls, cups, and mugs as a method for gaining comfortability with the materials. Intermediate students can continue to explore these basic forms or stretch their abilities with more complex forms and techniques. 32 | CERAMICS
Gary Andrews Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm, January 5 – March 2 Escape into the world of clay. Students learn the basics of hand-building, then dive into the skills needed to throw fundamental forms which have been used through the ages. At times Gary will provide pre-thrown pots for students to practice glazing. Come relax and tap into your right brain.
Terry Shepherd Thursdays 1-4pm, January 7 – March 4 Notebook required This course is for entry level beginners and intermediate students with some previous experience in throwing and hand-building. Students will focus on the fundamentals of technique in throwing forms and explore hand-building skills and surface design including decorative slip techniques and a wide variety of surface design approaches. Instruction in glaze application and material properties of glaze elements and firing process will be studied. Basic vessel forms for mugs, bowls, pitchers, oil bottles, and other forms will be studied in detail. Instruction is tuned to the individual to help students develop confidence in exploring the boundless and curious potential of clay and ceramic process in their pursuit of creative expression! Students will make work for a Raku firing scheduled for the 8th week of class. Students will engage in constructive critique and challenge themselves in order to improve their skill level.
Instructor email: tshepherd@gjartcenter.org
All Levels Hand-building Robbie Breaux Mondays 1-4pm, January 4 – March 8, skipping February 15 $223 member / $263 non-member Use slabs of clay to make beautiful artwork. We’ll focus on functional ware – mugs, casseroles, bowls, etc. Various hand-building techniques, surface treatments, and glazing will also be discussed. Students with prior knowledge in clay will have freedom to work on personal projects.
Instructor email: chuckrobbiebreaux@gmail.com CERAMICS | 33
Intermediate Wheelthrowing Terry Shepherd Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm, January 6 – March 3 $223 member / $263 non-member Notebook required Take this course if you are confident when it comes to wedging and centering, can throw a 6-8" cylinder using 2-3lbs. of clay, and have experience with basic hand tools and slab rollers. Techniques such as altered throwing are introduced. Come with an open mind, ready to engage in constructive critique and explore and develop a more in-depth approach to ceramics.
Instructor email: tshepherd@gjartcenter.org
Advanced Wheelthrowing Terry Shepherd Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm, January 6 – March 3 $223 member / $263 non-member Notebook required Take this course if you meet the requirements for intermediate ceramics, have confidence when it comes to throwing a 10-14" cylinder using 5-10lbs. of clay, and have a desire and willingness to acquire a deeper understanding of the material properties of different clays (such as cone 10 stoneware and porcelain) and glazes, as well as alternative firing processes. Students engage in constructive critique and challenge themselves in order to improve their skill level.
Instructor email: tshepherd@gjartcenter.org Included in every ceramics tuition is one, 25-lb. bag of clay and 3000 cu. in. of glaze firing (firing fee after 3000 cu. in. is 2 cents/cu. in.)
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The Nitty Gritty Winter registration opens Tuesday, Dec. 8
Students must register three days before the start of a class to secure a spot.
Registration: Registration can be within 14 days of the start of the
class or workshop. If you register for a class or workshop within the 14-day period, you will receive no refund or class credit for cancellation. Sorry, no refunds or class credits for no-shows. This registration policy helps instructors plan and prepare for Payment: Payment can be upcoming classes, ensuring you made by American Express, Visa, receive ample notice if a class has Mastercard, Discover, check, insufficient registration. or cash. Class space will not be reserved without full payment. Art Supplies: Supply lists for each Please be aware that classes require class are available on our website. a minimum number of students Unless otherwise specified, and are subject to cancellation. the student is responsible for The best way to ensure that the purchasing art supplies. Some class you are interested in does not supplies are available at The Art get canceled is to register early, Center Gift Gallery. and don’t forget to urge a friend Tuition for ceramics classes to sign up! includes one, 25-lb. bag of clay Cancellation Policy: To cancel and 3000 cu. in. of glaze firing a class or workshop registration, (firing fee after 3000 cu. in. is 2 notify The Art Center at least cents/cu. in.) Ceramics students 14 days before the start of the will need a pottery tool kit, not class or workshop. If given the covered by tuition and available required 14-day notice, The Art from The Art Center Gift Gallery Center will issue class credit in for $20.99 plus tax. full or will refund your payment minus the registration fee ($15 Need-based scholarships are for adults and $5 for children). available. Visit our website’s No refunds or class credit will scholarships page for more be issued for cancellations made information! completed online at gjartcenter. org, over the phone, or in person at The Art Center. For phone registration, call 970-243-7337, x. 2. To register in person, stop by during gallery hours, TuesdaySaturday 9am-4pm.
We love early registration!
HOW TO ENROLL | 35
1803 N 7th Street Grand Junction, CO 81501
Volume 6, Issue 1 Winter 2021 NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PA I D GRAND JCT, CO PERMIT 162
